Starting Again Chapter 35 by lennoxbear@gmail.com
Mid-December in the mid-Atlantic or northeast, depending on how you drew the state groupings, can be anything from mild to downright cold. Snow is always a possibility. It had been a relatively mild Fall so the weather was overdue to change. And it did. A cold front had swept in from Canada covering everything in a deep icy frost. Any plants with remaining blooms were history. It was a fact of life for people living in western Pennsylvania. It's December, be ready to bundle up. Or stay somewhere warm and toasty preferably snuggled against a large muscle hunk.
Sam stirred softly in his sleep lost in a dream that was quickly becoming erotic. He dreamt of a cold night snuggled alone with Joe in the cabin in front of the bedroom fireplace. Their naked bodies pressed together as Joe worked his large erect nipples. Joe alternated between nibbling on the fleshy nubs and swirling his tongue around the brown areolas. The more the tongue swirled the harder Sam's cock got. Joe's moist hand slowly stroked the long thick shaft and fondled the cum-filled nuts. Sam moaned needing more of his boy's hot mouth. His eyes fluttered open to the early morning light just now beginning to brighten the blinds. Joe was busily sucking on his tits and rubbing his hard dick against Sam's muscular thigh.
"Mmmmm, I love when you wake me up this way. Ouch, that was a hard one."
"You're awake now, I can increase the intensity."
"Testing your theory that it makes my dick harder?"
"Well, does it?"
"There's only one test for that."
Joe smiled. "My favourite test. I've already done some prep work while you slept. All clean and ready to go sir. Could I be on my stomach to start?"
"Sure." Joe stretched out and slightly spread his legs. Sam slipped his hand into the moist lubed crack and tickled the pucker with his fingers. "I took the freedom to lightly grease your fuck pole. Oh damn." Two fingers slid in and stretched him for the assault. "Mmmmmmm." Sam straddled Joe's big beefy butt and placed his dickhead against the tight pink hole. It slid in slowly as Joe breathed out. He braced his upper body on his ripped arms and pushed deeper. Joe pushed his butt back and up to give Sam as much entry as possible in this position. He loved his big muscle Daddy pounding his ass this way and squirmed just enough to push all of Sam's buttons. Sam slammed the young man's ass until he reached the edge then backed off. Joe whimpered.
"Noooo, now we flip and go for more." He pulled back and let Joe turn over onto his back underneath him. Joe raised his legs and hooked them around Sam's arms. Sam's cock was once again pounding his ass. Joe loved their Saturday morning fucks no matter how horny it made Jack upstairs in his room. The teenager lay on his bed and stroked his cock with what he thought would pace Sam's rhythm. As well built as the house was, for some reason the sounds of Sam and Joe fucking easily filtered through. Jack had learned all the signs and managed to time his getting off to coincide with his two Dad's.
Sam slammed away bouncing Joe on the bed in the process. "Dayammm." Sam slid his arms tightly around Joe's chest, pressed their lips together, moaned and shuddered. The change in angles triggered Joe's response. As his butt clenched in orgasm, Sam filled him with hot spunk. Sam held Joe doubled over for a couple of minutes as his cock spasmed a few more times then slowly let the big thick legs straighten out.
Joe sighed. "No one better ever question my flexibility. Mmmmm Dad that was unfuckingbelievable. Let's do it again." Sam whimpered into the pillow. "Okay maybe we can wait awhile."
Sam rolled off his lover, their abs gooey from Joe's cum. "We need to get moving. Today is moving day for Bill and Ken. We're supposed to be over there at nine. We have time to shower which we really need to do now since someone made a mess."
Joe snorted. "I point out that I would not be covered in man slime had you not been slamming my ass with that weapon of ass destruction." Sam groaned and sat on the edge of the bed. "This probably won't take too long. They don't have a lot to move. Bill has already moved a lot of the breakable stuff. And we have like what, eight trucks?"
"Yeah but getting stuff down the stairs may be a challenge. And Ken still can't help much with his leg in a cast."
Joe nodded. "Yeah. Bill has busted his ass to get so much done. I can't believe what he's accomplished."
Sam rubbed Joe's chest. "It is pretty amazing. Steve confided that Bill was driven to get as much done as possible so he and Ken could spend the holidays together in the new place. Just in case." "Just in case what?"
Sam sighed. "Just in case he doesn't come back from this last trip to Iraq. It's the elephant in the middle of the room. We're all afraid it could happen. Ken's still a wreck from Captain Malloy being killed."
Joe flipped up and sat next to Sam with his arm around his waist and his head on Sam's shoulder. "What a loss. From everything people said he was a helluva man."
Sam nodded slowly and kissed Joe. "Yeah, war makes no distinction. Let's get going."
Joe stood up and stretched. "Man that was one intense wicked killer workout last night. My chest and arms are sore."
Sam admired Joe's flexing biceps. "I'd say it's paying off, you look bigger." Joe glanced down. Sam grinned at his growing dick. "Can I help it if you inspire me?"
Joe stepped back. "We have furniture to move."
Jack was already up and making breakfast when Sam and Joe emerged from their bedroom. Gary wandered out a few minutes later. Jack blushed. "Don't say it. We're teenagers. You know we have needs." Sam looked at Jack's worn tattered jeans. He slid a finger in a front hole and smirked.
"I'd say you need some new jeans. What no underwear?" Jack blushed and Gary giggled. Jack groped Sam's crotch. "Ha ha no underwear."
Joe sipped his coffee. "Please don't wake that thing up we have furniture to move."
Matt stood in front of the kitchen window and stretched. He looked out at the cold clear day. Steve admired the perfect masculine ass in the tight denim and the furry abs that peeked out as his sweatshirt rose up. "Bill already has Ken's two trucks lined up to load and his may already be filled with boxes. I'd say he's anxious."
Steve walked up behind his lover, reached around and cupped a big pec. "Oh yeah. This won't take long. Knowing Ken he already has a plan worked out as to where everything goes. We can unload, place furniture and they'll be pretty much moved. Except for unpacking boxes."
"What do we do with the dogs?"
"Probably have to leave them behind on this first trip. They'll just get too excited and get in the way. Here comes Ben. Good grief could a straight man look any hotter and not know his effect on gay men?"
Matt wiggled his butt against Steve's growing crotch. "I know the effect."
Bill had the move coordinated down to the last box. They moved everything in one trip. Having a bunch of truck driving gay men was almost as good as calling lesbian friends to help. Ken had floor plans taped up in each room showing where things were to be placed. Since Bill had splurged and bought the new bedroom set they wanted, Ken's old furniture was going into a second bedroom and Bill's into a third. By noon, the place looked like they were pretty well set except for miscellaneous boxes to be unpacked and other's to be stored until later as they found time.
Bill promised he would refrain from any more construction until after Ken's return from Iraq. Painting was the only project on which they agreed to work. It would give them more free time to enjoy Ken's leave and the holidays.
The doctors at the VA hospital gave Ken the okay to lift but not as heavily as he had been doing under Captain Malloy's training. His vision tested to be about the same blurry level it was when he left Iraq. He would undergo some treatments before his return. His stitches healed well on the cut behind his ear. But like his eye, his hearing was still impaired. It wasn't the news he wanted but to Bill it was a lot. It meant things hadn't gotten worse. There were no guarantees that Ken's vision and hearing would return to normal. They could only hope they wouldn't get worse. Ken hobbled around the gym with the rest of the gang doing as much as he was allowed. He helped Steve and Ben with a couple of projects but spent most of his leave rearranging the two woodshops with the new equipment left to him by Captain Malloy. Steve kept a close eye on him and Doober never left his side.
Steve would occasionally send him home to rest some afternoons when his concentration seemed to wane. Ken dreaded the days without Bill all alone in the new house. He would exchange emails with Buck and a couple other military guys then stretch out on the bed to nap. He couldn't get Captain Malloy out of his mind. Even after attending the funeral, he had a hard time accepting the fact that the man who had become a close friend was forever gone. Bill had found him a couple of times sitting in a shadowy house on a cloudy December afternoon curled up on the bed and crying. Zeke stepped in and helped him get some counseling then helped Bill to understand what was happening.
Sexually, Ken was wearing out Bill's cock. The man desperately needed the closeness and emotional fulfillment of sex with his partner. Bill was never one to turn down sex but was beginning to worry. He ran into Scott one afternoon between appointments. Scott was a bit taken back by the look on his face.
"Scottie, uh, you meeting up with Swede after this?" Scott nodded suspiciously. "Look, I have to work late on this project. I'm a bit behind because of all the time I spent working on the new place. Could you and Swede do me a favour?"
Scott relaxed a bit figuring it had to do with running an errand or picking up groceries. "Sure, what do you need? Swede's doing a big inside job and meeting me at the gym."
"Skip the gym. I need the two of you to go to our place and fuck Ken into next week."
Scott's arms dropped to his side. His dick started to grow. "You want us to what?"
"You heard me. I need the two of you to go fuck Ken. Look, I'm going to be here until maybe eight. By time I get home, and Ken jumps my bones, it's going to be late. I'll have missed dinner and be too weak from fucking to eat anyway. I'll set it up with Ken. My dick needs a break before it's broken."
Scott's face was devoid of emotion. "You want us to fuck your boyfriend?" Bill nodded. "Okay, not that he isn't a hot little piece of muscle but it isn't everyday that a guy pimps out his boyfriend."
"I ain't pimping my boyfriend. I'm preserving my dick for just two fucks a day." Scott rubbed the back of his neck and scratched his head.
"Okay. Sure. What the hell? We'll uh,...fuck Ken." And it worked. Bill got home to find dinner in the oven and Ken snoozing peacefully in front of the TV.
Unfortunately, the plan backfired the next day when an unsuspecting Jack, Gary and Tim, home from college, stopped by to say hello. Bill found Ken snoring loudly in a still rumpled bed when he got home. Jack paged Bill the next day to explain what happened. Bill just laughed and told him he would pencil the three of them in for next Tuesday. Jack just stared at his phone, shrugged and agreed.
Bill still got to fuck Ken first thing in the morning and most evenings at bedtime. It was pretty amazing how many of their buddies gladly stepped up to bat. Poor Zeke was practically, dumped out of his chair one afternoon. But no one actually complained about the sex.
Christmas came midweek. That meant the next two days would almost universally be taken as vacation by everyone who could. The friends committed Christmas day to family where they could or their lovers. The party feeling began to build for the weekend the next day. Buck and Brett were planning to stay until Buck and Ken shipped out. Tank, Harley and their crew would drive in and be dispersed among various households. With some exceptions, it was going to be a huge get together.
Ron drove to Youngstown the day after Christmas to stay with James for a couple of days. He was not prepared when a couple of James' buddies answered the door and greeted him with open groping. James walked out of the kitchen in just a pair of knit boxers and smiled. "Told you he was something special. You're in for a good time these next couple of days." Ron just looked around the room with a confused stare.
Ron was even more unsure of himself when two more huge beefy men showed up and fondled him. He was like the runt of the litter compared to these giant men. For the next day and a half he was naked with a cock up his ass or down his throat nearly all the time. James wasn't sure why he was upset and things came to a showdown when Ron walked out of the bedroom the middle of Friday afternoon with his bag.
"You aren't leaving so soon are you? I didn't think you were going back until Sunday?"
Ron took a deep breath and focused his eyes on the older closeted man. "I didn't come here to be a sex toy for your buddies. I wouldn't have minded one open sex party but I feel like I am being passed around here like some whore. Sorry, I don't play that way."
"What? No one said you were a whore."
"Don't have to. You just assumed I wanted to spend the whole weekend in an orgy. You never asked. I may still be a teenager but I thought we had a better relationship. You even fell asleep last night with your dick up my ass. Then two of them come get me in the middle of the night to fuck me and you just wave them on."
"I don't remember that."
"No, you passed out. Don't get me wrong. I like sex with hot men and these guys are prime beef, but the playing around isn't mutual. I thought we were more than that."
"We are. You gotta stay."
Ron hugged the big man and picked up his bag. "No. I, I just don't feel comfortable. I need some time. I'll call you in a couple of days."
"What about New Year's?"
"I'll let ya know. I definitely want to be back in Pittsburgh for that cause Ken leaves to go back to Iraq on the second. I'll talk to you." Ron got into his car, took a deep breath and drove away. He stopped for coffee a few minutes over the state line. He just felt overwhelmed by what he perceived as a difference in the relationship he thought he had with James. He was stirring Equal into his cup when a familiar voice caught him from behind.
"Hey, what are you doing up this way?" He turned to look into the smiling faces of Bruce and Steve.
"Oh hey, I forgot you guys lived up this way. I, uh, am on my way home. Was out to visit James in Youngstown and well, needed to get back home."
Steve poured cream into his cup and looked at the young man's blank face. "That doesn't look like the face of a man who was just visiting his best fuck buddy."
Ron shrugged. "Ummm, well, it's not." They sat at a corner table as he told his story.
Bruce leaned forward and squeezed his knee. "Don't worry about it. You'll sort things out with him. You just found out something about yourself. Not everyone in this lifestyle wants to be in the middle of constant sex parties. We knew that about each other when we met 25...
"27."
"Twenty-seven years ago. Not that we don't play around. We play occasionally as a couple, but never behind the other's back and never do we take advantage of the other. Relationships are built on respect. Did you think he was the guy with whom you would spend your life?"
"I don't know."
"You're young. Don't be in a hurry. And don't feel like there's something wrong with you if you don't want to be in the middle of an orgy. You have a lot to learn about yourself. At the same time, don't be in a hurry to grow up. Now, you going to call James?"
Ron got up to get another cup of coffee for the road. "I'll think I'll wait until I get home. Build the suspense." He gave the two men an evil grin and headed out the door to his car.
Bruce nudged Steve with his shoulder. "You think they'll be okay?"
Steve shook his head no. "Ron is way more mature than James realizes. James came out late in life. Ron is 18 and doing what James only began to experience a couple of years ago. My bet is that Ron will move on at some point. It's James' loss. Not that he's a bad man. Ron's just wired differently then he is. James will find someone else. Whoever ends up with Ron is getting the prize. He's a smart young man."
"Not to mention good looking and build like the proverbial outhouse."
Steve turned to look closely at Bruce. "Outhouse?"
Beau was having his own awakening across the state in suburban Philadelphia. He had gone to a three-day police training where he spent most of his time trying to control his needy dick. Everywhere he looked were big beefy cops, in uniform, in casual T-shirts and jeans, in sweaty wet workout gear. Snake had caused his sexual needs to boil to the surface. He and Snake had hot sweaty mansex with Cesar and LJ a couple of days a week. The rest of the time it was all he could do not to constantly fuck Snake's hard muscular ass. His best friend was always primed and ready to go. He would drain Beau dry. But the next morning, the fires would rekindle. His cock had stretched hard down his pant leg for nearly the whole trip to the hotel where the training was taking place. Fortunately, when he checked in there was so much activity in the lobby his bulging jeans went unnoticed. Or so he thought.
The second evening he joined a group of cops for a grueling intense workout at a gym nearby the hotel. He was finishing his last set of heavy benches when a familiar voice whispered behind him. "Impressive bench. Your pecs bulge out nearly as far as your um, hoo hoo." Beau spun around to look directly into the sweaty smiling face of Officer John Sullivan.
"John. I didn't know you were going to be here. Good to see you. And you are not one to talk about big pecs or, uh, good god."
Sullivan wiped sweat from his forehead. "Yeah, I hate being here without Buzz. You having the same prob, yeah you are."
Beau's eyes widened in terror. "That obvious?"
John shook his head. "No, look around. A bunch of hyper-masculine cops in full muscular display. They all compete to see who has the biggest chest or arms. And don't for once think they aren't comparing notes on everything else. Even the straight ones."
Beau slowly nodded. "Still it doesn't make things any easier. I haven't been without since moving up here to be with Snake."
John smiled smugly. "Just think about what's happening at home. Someone else is deprived and when you get back, well."
"Snake is insatiable. It takes three of us to satisfy him. When those nuts in Chicago wound him up, well, they did one helluva job."
John smiled knowingly and bent to one side. "Snake still working out hard?"
"Every single freakin' day. The man's the size of a house. Whatever they pumped into him is still working. He has muscle in places I never thought possible." John's eyes sparkled. "Yeah, there too." John snorted back a big laugh and indicated so did Buzz. "Hey, I'm doing dinner with a couple of guys I met here. Want to join us?"
"Uh, yeah, great. You about finished? I have one more set and then can hit the shower. Meet you in the hotel lobby when?"
"Give us thirty or forty minutes." John gave him the thumbs up and walked back over to the Hammer Strength machine he had been using. Beau walked back to his truck with the other two cops. One of them seemed very curious about John. "Oh, friend from Pittsburgh. Good guy. He hangs with a big bunch of lifters. They make me feel like a runt."
Andy shook his thick legs. "Hey, you mind if I get a ride back with you. Grigs there needs to stop at the drug store to pick up a prescription before dinner and I need to soak under a hot shower before dinner."
"No problem. Hey, Grigs, we'll see you in the lobby in 40." He unlocked the door for Andy. "I told John 30 but I need to talk to him about something."
"Cop stuff?"
"Uh, no, about a mutual friend of ours." Andy nodded. Beau felt the big cop's eyes on him as he drove back to their hotel.
Grigs and Andy wandered into the hotel lobby and found Beau and John chatting away over a beer. The two big cops ordered drinks and were joined by two more men who decided to join them for dinner. Andy casually sipped his beer as the six big men crowded around a small bar table. "Okay, so we need to find someplace with a table that can accommodate six men of this our, uh, stature."
"Does this T-shirt make me look fat?"
"No, dear."
John threw his arm up over Beau and rested it on the back of his chair. "Well, that cheesecake place has big booths and serves copious quantities." It was a quick vote of agreement and they were off. Andy squeezed into the middle of the seat in Beau's truck between him and John. Beau felt the heat of the big meaty thigh pressed against him. It took all his concentration on driving to keep his dick under control. He dropped Beau and John at the door and circled around for a parking place.
The dinner was a ribald event of bad cop humour and six big men telling lifting stories out of school. Anyone sitting nearby would have though they were world strongman competitors from the bull flying back and forth. Beau sat between John and Andy, his thigh pressing against Andy's all night. A couple of times he was sure the big man's hand rubbed over his thigh to get his attention. Their arms would bump but Andy never backed off. Dinner took a little over two hours. By the time they were finished Beau was desperate to get back to his room and jack off. He lucked out and found a parking spot close to the door they were using at the back of the hotel. As John and Beau slipped out of the passenger side, Beau slid out, adjusted his nuts and cock and took a deep breath. The six men crowded into the small elevator with four others to test the load limit. Andy was pressed against Beau. He casually placed his hand behind him to lightly brush against Beau's crotch. John was on the third floor, said his good night and exited. Four others got off on the next floor, three more on five. That left just Andy and Beau.
Andy quickly turned around and pressed his lips to Beau's. "Your room or mine?" Beau sucked in a breath and muttered yours. The two men were hot on each other as soon as Andy closed the door and threw the latch. Clothes went flying. Andy fell to his knees and nuzzled Beau's stiff prick.
Beau held his head. "How'd you know?"
Andy shrugged. "I wasn't 100% sure. But I figured you'd either deck me or fuck me. I was willing to take the chance. So you are going to fuck me right?"
Beau pushed his mouth down on the stiff cock. "You bet yer ass." The two cops worked each other's bodies for several hours before finally passing out for a few hours of sleep. Beau sat on the edge of the bed at seven AM and ran his hand over the big beefy butt of the still snoring cop. Andy rolled onto his side and pulled him down into a kiss. "You okay? I rode your ass a little hard last night."
"The way I like it. My partner slams me hard and rattles my fillings."
"You, uh, going to tell your partner?"
"Sure, we have no secrets. It's not like either of us goes out looking for someone. Being a cop in the central northern tier of the state well, I have to be careful. We have a place out in the forest away from everyone else. It's really good for naked fucking on the deck in the summer. If the mosquitoes don't carry you away. You going to tell, what was his name, Snake?"
Beau slowly nodded. "He told me before I left he was okay with me playing with another cop as long as I don't run away from home." Beau laughed and tweaked Andy's sore nipple. "I never would have thought I'd do something like this even just a few months ago. Now, I can't get enough of this big goofy man."
Andy smiled and rested his am behind his head. "Funny how life works out. Meet ya at breakfast."
"Sure. I can't find my other sock."
"I'll find it. See ya in 30 minutes in the breakfast slop trough line." Beau slipped on his jeans, fished his room key from his pocket, picked up the rest of his clothes and ran to the end of the hall to his room. John had saved them seats at a corner table and sat sipping coffee and smiling. He glanced at the two big cops, their full erect nipples under their sweatshirts and hummed. Andy glanced nervously at him and at Grigs when the big man joined them.
Grigs took a big sip of coffee and leaned toward John. "Guess our buddies got lucky last night." Andy groaned. "Aw, Andy, I'd known for a long time we ain't playing on the same team. I still loves ya as a buddy. And seeing what I saw in the gym yesterday, do I need to get you one of those little inflatable donuts?" Andy choked on his eggs as John stifled a giggle. "I'd say Beau was packing a pretty big weapon here and well, you are walking a bit catawampus." Andy held his head in his hand.
"How long have you known?"
Grigs put down his coffee cup, crossed his forearms and leaned across the table. "Buddy, since high school. We're best buds and just because you and Davey, the forest ranger, got a good thing going doesn't mean I'm going to stop being your friend." He sat back and scarfed down a slice of bacon. "Aside which, ain't nobody in our little gym benches as heavy as you two and I need a spotter. As long as I don't drop the soap in the shower, I figure I'm okay."
John took a big bite of sausage. "You do realize at this table that you are the minority?"
Grigs shrugged. "Fuck who cares. I'm also the runt at this table." He smugly filled his mouth with eggs. "It doesn't mean your getting any of this fine ol' ass. My wife likes me just the way I am."
Andy rolled his eyes and groaned. "And that would be horny, you old fart. He has seven kids." Beau and John both looked impressed.
Grigs smirked. "At ain't nothing. All to the same woman too."
Andy shook his head. "I don't know how she puts up with you."
"I'm a loooooooooove machine." John, Beau and Andy could only groan.
John looked at him skeptically. "Beau and I hardly know you but considering you have all those kids, maybe you are." Grigs puffed out his chest and flexed his arms.
Andy snorted coffee through his nose. "Yeah, right. I've seen you in the shower. The fact that it hangs to your knee might have something to do with it."
"What can I say? Manly! Mark of the beast!"
Beau looked around confusedly. "666?" Grigs shot him a smirk.
The police finished up their training in one long morning session. Beau walked across the parking lot with John. The big cop leaned against his Charger and pulled his coat tighter around him in the cold wind. "You okay? I mean, Andy's pretty hot. Not going to cause a problem between you and Snake is it?"
Beau looked across the parking lot at all the men heading to their vehicles. A very calm look washed over his face and he slowly shook his head no. "No. No problem. If anything, it makes me realize just how much that big asshole means to me. I wasted a lot of years playing and pretending to be what I ain't. I aim to go home, and be the best fuckin' lover I can to that big ol' musclehead. Andy told me that he and this Dave, who's a forest ranger for real, have been fuck buds since high school. Then all of a sudden when they get to college and aren't together anymore, they realized they were in love. He may have shared my bed for one night, but he's totally committed to Dave. Told me a couple of cool stories."
John took a quick deep breath. "Hope I can say that about me and Buzz years from now."
"I seen the way Buzz looks at you. No worry there. He's ass over tin cups." Beau reached down and tugged at his stiffening dick in his worn snug jeans. "So am I over Snake."
Andy and Grigs walked over to say their good byes. Andy handed Beau a card with contact info. "We have a great place in the forest, very secluded. No need to do clothes if you get my drift. Stay in touch. Good friends mean a lot." The four men hugged and slapped shoulders.
Grigs shook their hands. "Sorry, my wife won't let me play wit'cha." Beau and John just laughed.
Andy pulled him toward his truck. "Come on you big turd. I promised your wife I'd get ya home." They watched the two men saunter across the lot.
John leaned close into Beau. "Damn, Andy has an ass like Matt."
Beau whimpered and tugged his dick again. "Tell me brother."
An hour and a half later, Beau pulled up to one of the houses on which Tank's crew was working, walked confidently into the busy house, waved hello to guys he knew and found Snake fitting custom cabinet work into the kitchen. He threw his left arm around Snake's thick neck and pulled the man tightly to him in a deep passionate wet kiss. Cesar and LJ could only whistle. Beau grabbed himself a big fist of Snake's right pec and kneaded the hard flesh. "I have the rest of the day off. Don't be late getting home from work." He turned to walk out the door. "Not if you know what's good for you." Snake could only blink. Beau stopped in the doorway. "Same goes for the two of you." He pointed at Cesar and LJ. "We're having dinner at Tank's at seven. So we have some time to...relax."
LJ bit his lip to keep from giggling. "I'd say the man was a bit horny."
Snake turned around leaned against the kitchen and groped the stiff cock running down his pants leg. "He ain't the only one now."
The four men were in a very mellow mood when they arrived for dinner at Tank and Harley's. Tank kept looking from one to the other. Header and Pete just giggled from the bar. Header salted glass rims for margaritas. "I bet the sheets are in the dryer now."
Guys began arriving in Pittsburgh around noon for lunch. Tank and his gang were splitting up among several houses. Buck and Brett pulled into Bill and Ken's mid-afternoon. By six, the large crowd created a parking gridlock at Bill and Ken's. Tank pulled Ken to him in a big bearhug and rubbed the top of his military buzzed head. "What's that big ass truck doing taking up all the room in the driveway, oh hi Will. That your catering truck?"
"Don't start Tank."
"Oh come here. Just teasing you. I loves ya and especially your ribs." He crushed the big caterer in his arms and tickled his side. Will squirmed.
"These ribs or the ones I cook?" Tank could only smile evilly. He licked the side of his neck. "Stoooooppppp."
Harley tried to hang coats in the front closet then gave up and carried them upstairs. "Now you know what I put up with every day."
Bruce and Steve decided to bunk it in with Sam and Joe until New Year's a couple of day's away. Thad and Brian showed pictures of a house they were thinking of buying. Tony and Bear arrived after being out of circulation for several weeks because of work. Suddenly, everyone stopped to gawk at Bear, a new very thinner and muscular man in snug black jeans took off his biker jacket.
"Hey, don't worry. I donated all my old fat to a good cause. That Calista what's her name on TV. They're gonna make her some really big boobs." The crowd responded with a resounding booooo.
Tim grinning from ear to ear arrived with his college buddy, Chris. Gus and Kevin shared the ride over with them. Gus beamed with pride as his son walked across the room hand in hand with his buddy. "Finally, some one as loud at sex as us. Now we can pick on Tim."
A loud voice came from the TV room. "I heard that. We're still not as loud as you two." Jack was sitting in a big overstuffed chair in the great room and opened his mouth to speak. "Not as loud as S..."
Sam smacked the top of his head. "Don't go there." The whole place erupted in loud laughter.
Swede threw his arm around Sam's shoulders. "You forget Sam; we've all been to the cabin for long weekends. We all wondered just how many moose were about to attack us that first night. Then we realized."
Sam tilted his head. "Funny, very funny."
Gary flopped onto the sofa next to Jack. "You use those earplugs I got you for Christmas?"
"Every night bro, thanks."
Sam opened his mouth to rebut the comment then thought the better of it and stopped. "I can't win this argument, can I?
Jack sipped his soda, a big smile across his face. "Fraid not Dad."
A few minutes later Ken wandered quietly over to Sam. The big man draped his arm over Ken's shoulders and hugged him close. "What's up Kenny?"
Ken smiled and put his arm around Sam's waist. "Not much. Just enjoying the company. So Jack calls you guys Dad?"
Sam nodded proudly. "We love having him in our house. He's a good kid. His real Dad's a fuck-up but Jack's got his head on tightly. He loves playing the Dad card. How `bout you? How's the eye?"
"Okay, it's slowly getting better. And I can hear a bit better out of this ear now too." He took a deep breath and held on tighter. "Just takes time."
Sam rubbed his shoulder. "Going back isn't going to be easy. But going back to finish a commitment you made with Captain Malloy, that's pretty damned admirable. You okay?"
"A bit nervous. Buck and I will be holding onto each other for dear life over there."
Sam kissed Ken on his forehead. "I'm sure. Good to know you have each other's back."
Bill watched from across the room as he showed Pat and Lou where the drinks were located. Pat poured himself his idea of a vodka martini and nudged Lou. "How's Ken doing? Only a few more days and he goes back."
"Yeah, we're trying not to dwell on it. He's okay, working out his upper body like a demon, helping Steve and Ben as much as he can. The leg cast slows him down a bit but he's mellowed a lot these last couple of days. Whatever had him wound up that first week or so of leave, seems to have gone away. He's very calm and peaceful now."
"The place looks phenomenal."
Bill giggled. "Ken's been working on drawings and plans for the basement when he gets home. Again from Iraq. So I guess I better get all the construction debris cleaned out by the time he returns."
Lou quietly looked around the room. "He has one helluva support system here. I would see some of you guys around the neighbourhood when I was running or when I was coming home from work. It wasn't until Pat put all the pieces together that we realized there were so many more of us in such a small geographic area. In the suburbs yet! We're really glad we got to know you guys."
Pat tipped his drink up to Bill. "Really. Truly."
Bill raised his eyebrows. "Oh, dude, you may think differently when you see the plans Ken's working on for the side deck and then the back deck come spring."
"Ambitious?"
Bill thought about it for a minute. "No, not for Ken. But it does involve lots of landscaping."
"Good." "And a trapeze."
Jack was refilling a chip and salsa platter for Will when the doorbell rang again. His eyes opened wide when James walked in and shook hands with Ken and Bill. The older man was genuinely happy to have been invited. He caught Sam's eye across the room and nodded. Swede waved.
Bill took his coat and Ken walked him to the bar. "Thanks for inviting me guys. It's a real pleasure. Wow, this is like a beef explosion. Is there anyone here who doesn't lift like a linebacker?"
Joe walked over and shook his hand. "Nope. When it comes to working out this group is obsessed. Welcome. Glad you came. We're very appreciative of everything you've done to help us with all the roadblocks Jack's father keeps throwing our way."
Swede walked over and hugged the athletic man. James quietly smiled and relaxed in the Swede's arms. "Glad to help. I know I've been an asshole in the past but I am working on changing my ways. Been a bigger asshole to some more than others but in general an ass none the less."
Joe and Swede both smiled. "You'll find these guys to be pretty forgiving." James' looked like a man finally coming to grips with finding his place. "Besides. You cross us and we work your ass off in the gym."
Swede looked him directly in the eyes. "What about your wife?"
Jack tossed his hands out to the side. "She doesn't care. She doesn't want a divorce, doesn't want to have a man woman relationship, and at this point doesn't seem to care if I stay or move out? I don't know. Not sure what I should do at this point but figure I need to give it a bit more time and try to sit down with her in a month or so and have another talk about all the issues."
"Do you want to move out?"
James leaned against the bar and swirled his drink around in his glass. Jack came over and gave him a quick hug. "Yeah, I do. I don't think it's fair to her for us to continue to live together this way. Like I said I need to work on the details. The holidays aren't the right time to say, hey Honey, I'm moving out to better sleep with men."
Jack rubbed his back. "You helped me with my problems. Wish I could help with yours."
Swede and Joe walked back across the room to Sam and Scott. "I'd say Jack has the hots for James."
Sam chuckled. "Oh yeah. I wouldn't be surprised if we have an overnight guest at some point."
Ron wandered aimlessly from room to room. Matt sidled up to him and playfully nudged him. "So what's on yer mind?"
Ron took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I don't know. Maybe I reacted too quickly with James. My James. Overreacted whatever. It's just that I don't think I like the big open sex games. I thought at one point, oh boy a big, hot, man orgy. And then it got old real fast. I don't know what I want. What's wrong with me?"
Matt leaned against him near the French doors. "Nothing. You're young. Don't rush yourself. Maybe it was that it was sprung on you without your input?" Ron half nodded. "You, uh, sorta wishing he were here?"
"Well, yeah. I mean. I like him and really, really like sex with him but I don't know if he's the one with whom I want to spend the rest of my life."
"And you won't know that unless you talk and work past this point."
Ron nodded. "Right. I asked him to give me time tonight but I did ask him to share New Year's Eve with me."
"Is he going to?"
"Oh yeah. I think. He insisted he get a hotel room and not impose on any of my friends. You know, in case we couldn't work things out between us."
Matt tilted his head from side to side. "Okay. I understand that. So go with it."
Ron shot him an embarrassed smile. "I am. It's that I am just so damn horny."
"Well, you and Gary used to play around."
"Yeah but I don't want Gary to think I'm only thinking of him as replacement sex when I'm alone."
"Maybe you need to talk to him about that. Gary's a pretty resilient kid."
Ron laughed and looked down at the floor. "Oh gad, I'm a fucked up sexual mess."
"Join the crowd."
The gang spent the next couple of days enjoying the camaraderie that had grown and flourished among them. Days were spent working out, invading various favourite restaurants for lunch and big dinners at a couple of houses. It was like watching a giant school of pickup truck fish swim back and forth from Bill and Ken's to Steve and Matt's to Spence and Zeke's to Sam and Joe's, to the gym, to a restaurant to the store for wine and liquor, back and forth. That is if fish drove vehicles
The crowd was filling Sam and Joe's on New Year's Eve afternoon. TV's were on in three rooms and men wandered back and forth from one game to another sporting event to another. They openly hugged, kissed, groped and occasionally a couple would disappear to the playroom for a quick bit of fun. Only to be interrupted by groups trying to workout in the basement gym. Not much was sacred. Will's catering crew appeared again at eight to set up a huge buffet for New Year's Eve. Will had closed early so his staff could enjoy the evening but most of the men volunteered to work Sam's party. Coincidently the ones who volunteered were the gay staff who pumped iron by day and waited tables or worked the bar at night. They chose to wear simple leather shorts and workout boots as the uniform for the evening. The theme among many of the men became the fewer clothes the better. Almost all were shirtless, many others also wearing leather shorts and boots.
Ron almost keeled over when Youngstown James, as they dubbed him, appeared at the door in full leather, grabbed his young man by the back of the neck and laid on one long wet, passionate; get-out-the-fire hoses kiss. Ron sprouted a hardon that didn't seem to disappear all night. Chris and Tim opted for leather jocks and boots and coordinated their look with Gary, Jack, Joe and Buzz. Harley and Snake joined after an hour by stripping down to their jocks and boots. Tank ran his hand over his furry chest and sighed. "Furry or smooth this place is filled with grade-A butt muscle."
Beau blew off Snake's socks when he appeared in a full leather police outfit he managed to put together online with Officer John's help. Snake stopped short of humping his ass against the bulging cop's cod piece.
Jack had been true to Sam's prediction and had dragged Lawyer James (to distinguish from Youngstown James) to his bed a couple of nights over the weekend. The two were very hot on each other. It only took about an hour before Lawyer James ditched his T-shirt and joined the men in a bare-chested New Year's event.
Will's crew kept the food trays full and drinks flowing. Despite the festive mood, no one was drinking more than they needed. Mellow enjoyment was their focus. The teens kept their promise and refrained from drinking all together even though none of them drove and all would safely be seen home, more or less. Will's crew provided more entertainment when they reappeared at 11:30 PM to begin setting up rows of champagne glasses and was now down to simple leather thongs.
Sam shrugged and lined up the champagne bottles for the midnight toast. "Oh well, last one naked is a New Year's wet blanket. By 11:50 PM, the house was filled with naked musclehunks. All were ready to welcome in the New Year naked as the day they were born. Spence helped Zeke out of attire and back into his wheelchair.
Jack took one look at the naked hell in a wheelchair gimp and stepped back in surprise. "I didn't know that about you."
Zeke looked at his lap where his dick stood at attention. "What? That my dick still worked?"
Jack shot him a hurt look. "No man. That you were uncut. Even with a big honking hardon that's a lot a' skin to nibble on."
"No comments about my scrawny legs?"
Jack snapped his head back. "Dude, there are a lot of martini's out there in the gym and not in wheelchairs with legs a lot scrawnier than yours. And none of them with abs like that. And then there's that foreskin...again."
Spence stifled a giggle. "Uh, Jack do you have a thing for skin, um, James, oh. Yes you do." Spence licked his lips at James thick full cockhead peaking out of its turtleneck. Well, well, well, Jack you young pervert you. Why're you blushing?"
Jack sighed and whimpered. "I'm so embarrassed. It's so warm in here." James snuggled his naked body and stiff dick against the young man. "Nothing to be embarrassed about. So you know what you like. And you show your appreciation very well." Spence and Zeke could only groan in approval.
The men jammed their naked bodies into Sam's great room to watch the countdown to the New Year. At the stroke of midnight, as all hell broke loose on TV showing the celebration in Times Square, Sam Chambers' friends were surprisingly quiet as they wished each other a Happy New Year and exchanged friendly kisses, and then friendlier kisses and then more groping. The champagne was gone in 30 minutes and with it returned the noise level of hyper masculine men celebrating their naked pleasures together.
Most of the men left for their homes or respective guest arrangements by two AM. Will's crew managed to clean up most of the debris and escape to their own little sex party. Sam saw his last guest off at the door, closed and locked it then turned and leaned against it. He raised his tired arms and slipped them around his equally worn out partner.
"Happy New Year Joey. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Let's get to bed. The place isn't too bad. We can clean up the rest in the morning. You want to have a little New Year's sex?"
Joe sighed in his lover's arms. "A little. I'm whooped."
Sam kissed his forehead. "So am I. So we'll only fuck once."
New Year's Day was bright, crisp, cool and sunny. Sam and Joe lay in bed, legs wrapped around legs; Joe softly snoring on Sam's shoulder, their cock's stiff and ready. Joe carefully stirred and opened one eye.
"You awake Sam?"
"I am now."
"I smell coffee. Huh, probably Jack. It's nine. This is like sleeping in for us, even if we didn't get to bed until two AM. You want to get up?" Sam sighed. "I am up." He waved his stiff cock under the covers."
"I meant out of bed. Or do you want to fuck again. I smell bacon?"
Sam moaned. "Damn, so do I. So now I'm hungry. Damn Joe, we'll have to slip in an extra fuck later today. Guess we should get up and check on our guests. I wonder if my dick intends to go down any time soon."
"Well, it's not like they haven't seen you naked before."
Sam unraveled his legs from Joe's and swung over to sit up on the edge of the bed. "Yeah but the house is sort of chilly. That ought to kill the mood." Sam stood up and stretched. Joe leaned over and kissed the head of his big cock.
"Happy New Year little buddy." Sam could only roll his eyes. They both pulled on sweats. The loose but clinging material did little to hide their still semi-blood filled cocks. The morning sun warmly lighted the kitchen when they walked out of their bedroom. Jack and James were seated at the counter sipping coffee. Header and Andy were busily putting together breakfast as Harley filled a coffee urn with what was left of the first pot and Pete prepped the coffeemaker for the next.
Jack quickly got up, walked over to Sam and Joe. He wished his two Dads a Happy New Year. Sam watched the fleece covered muscle butt walk back over to James. His dick twitched at the enticing site. "You guys are up early. And busy. Tank walked in with the newspaper. A pair of gym-shorts and T-shirt doing little to hide his massive body.
"Of course. We're always up and on the go no matter. Comes with our jobs. How're you men?"
Joe stared at the coffee pot. "We're good but a bit tired. You know we been on the go a lot these last couple of days."
Tank stretched. His T-shirt rode up over the furry abs revealing the low-slung shorts and the top of his pubic hair. Jack and James stared and James giggled. "All back to normal tomorrow. The holidays come to an abrupt end."
Sam gave Tank a knowing glance and quickly changed the subject. "So, who's up for some fag football this afternoon?"
Jack's ears perked up. "Really? Flag football?"
Andy shook his head. "No son, he said fag football."
James stifled his laughing. "You guys are really going to play football? Where?"
Sam shrugged. "The field behind the elementary school. Why?"
Andy began dishing out scrambled eggs, sausage and pancakes. "Oh yeah, this should be fun. Just like the volleyball."
Tank smirked. "Except that was naked mud volleyball. It's 25 degrees and freezing cold."
Sam titled his head. "So we bundle up in sweats and run around like crazies for an hour or two. Andy and Zeke can referee."
James silently looked from man to man. "Naked mud volleyball?"
Tank waved his hands. "Of course, at my place out east. Stick around and this summer you can join us." He rubbed James tight round butt as he walked past. "Bet them buns would look real good caked with mud."
James frowned. "I'm so confused."
Joe drolly sipped his coffee. "It doesn't get any easier. Forget whatever you thought you knew about gay men. We don't fit the stereotype."
Sam snorted. "So should I call around? Who's up for a game?"
Jack looked up from his cell phone. "Oh. Was I supposed to wait for an answer? I already called Tim, Chris, Gary, Ron, Buzz, Spence and Matt."
Sam looked at him and shook his head. "How?"
"Texting. Oh and I'm getting answers. Noon it is." Sam smiled and chomped on a sausage. "All-righty then."
At noon, a large group of beefy, muscular men in sweats and old clothes gathered on the playing field behind the elementary school. Anyone passing by would easily assume it was just another bunch of football-crazed men unloading from their trucks and cars to slide around on the wet soggy ground. James borrowed sweats from Joe so he could join in. Couples split up on opposite teams and taunted each other. Andy stood in the middle for the coin toss and got everyone's attention with a long blast on a whistle.
They all stopped in mid turmoil. Swede glanced at the shiny metal whistle and gestured at it. Andy pointed at Steve.
Steve looked around at the surprised faces. "What? I used to ref so I have a whistle."
Bill walked over to his team with a straight face. "Thank god. Thought it might be left over from someone's dancing queen days." Most of the men then broke into a chorus of Dancing Queen. It took Andy several blasts of the whistle to get their attention again.
"Okay, mennnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. Thisssssssssssssssssss ishhhhhhhhhhhs a friendly game. No going for the eyesssssss or facsssssssse. However, a grope to the crotch or butt well, who are we to judge." By the time he finished with his few simple rules, the men were in stitches. Thad finally whacked him in the back of the head. "All right. Who has a coin? Zeke had to fish one out of his jeans. Sam's team of mostly older men won the toss. An hour and 20 minutes later a very muddy, sweaty and horny bunch of men fell into a large lump in the middle of the field and laughed uncontrollably. The younger men won by only one touchdown in what was a pretty hard fought game. Not to be left out, Andy, Ken and Zeke were pulled into the muddy pile.
Several people who lived nearby and who had ventured out to walk their dogs, or who normally took daily walks around the field were confused by the silliness but just chalked it up to a holiday game. If anyone noticed a bare butt when a pair of sweat pants got pulled down, no one called the police. Fortunately. Officer John would have had to do some explaining. The game finished in plenty of time for the planned potluck at Sam and Joe's. Everyone took off for their respective places to shower, grab their food and regroup at Sam's in an hour.
If James was at all hesitant, he lost all inhibition by the time he got back to Sam's. Joe met everyone inside the garage door where people stripped down and the dirty clothes immediately got tossed into the washer. He had never considered himself modest or shy and being nude with this bunch seemed like the most natural thing in the world. Jack eagerly helped him in the shower where he demonstrated a few things he learned from listening to Sam and Joe's hygienic practices. He was in a total mellow mood by the time he rejoined the men in the kitchen.
Tank threw his meaty arm over the shorter man and tweaked an obviously erect nipple. "You having a good time? Glad you joined us?'
James quietly nodded. "Sorry I didn't try to find a group of men like this earlier in my life and was such a schmuck for so long. A little slow on the learning curve."
Header looked up from the pitcher of apple martinis he was mixing. "Judging by the smile on that boy's face, you more than made up for it."
Bill and Ken made good use of their new oversized shower with surrounding water heads. Bill lovingly lathered Ken's lean muscular body. "Sorry you couldn't join in the game."
Ken waved his hand. "Well, I don't think the doctors would have liked me messing up my leg and cast for a football game. Besides, I get the best part now." He pulled Bill too him in a deep kiss. A low hungry growl emanated from his chest. "How about going for another score before we eat?" Bill moaned and turned his lover around. His hard cock slid between the slick ass cheeks.
Joe had TV's in every room on to a football game or holiday event as the friends milled about enjoying the New Year spirit. Occasionally, someone may have actually paid attention. They were too caught up in enjoying each other's company and reliving the silliness of the afternoon game.
Gus took advantage of the opportunity to spend some time talking more with Chris. "So guy, what'reya gonna do if you get drafted into the NFL?"
Chris took a long breath and let it out very slowly. "I don't know. I don't relish the idea of having to live my life in the closet or as a lie. Gotta a lot of thinking to do before the draft. I may decide to just go onto med school. Getting to know all these men and experiencing the freedom and openness with them makes it hard to imagine dealing with the red necked or religious nuts in the football league. I mean, what's the big deal? So I like to play football and suck dick? Besides, how many guys can say they got to cop a feel of their boyfriend's father's cock?" Gus laughed. "Well, we didn't get quite that carried away in th, ohhhhhh. Uh, if you keep that up I'm going to have a problem."
Chris let go of Gus's growing dick. He smiled a big seductive grin. "Oh I think Kevin would be more than happy to take care of any problem you toss his way." Gus nonchalantly adjusted his package. "You know I love Tim. I mean, I really do. I've had a few flings with guys the last couple of years. Tim isn't a fling."
"He's only a freshman."
Chris took another long breath. "I know. It won't be easy but I don't think I can go anywhere nor do anything without him in my life. I'll do whatever I need to keep him as part of it." Tim sauntered over with a second heaping plate of food. Chris took one long look and shook his head. "Good grief that's a lot of food."
"I need my energy. What're you two talking about?"
Gus smirked. "I was asking Chris' intentions toward my baby boy."
"And?" Chris snuggled behind him and ground his cock against the tight butt. "Oh. I thought it was my turn to hide the sausage."
Chris thought a moment then wrapped his arm around the firm waist. "Oh yeah, it is."
Gus looked at the two young men standing before him and smiled. "Well, Dad, you always taught me the necessity of being flexible."
Gus closed his eyes and shook his head. "Versatile. Flexibility helps but versatility makes things much more interesting." Kevin walked up with a huge plate of food. "Doesn't it Danny boy?"
"Versatility makes things interesting."
Kevin paused. "You're not talking football are you?"
The afternoon passed with football, loads of food and plenty more silliness among the friends. Tank, Harley and their gang set about to leave for the drive home around six. It started a long series of hugs and goodbyes to Ken. Buck had kept an eye on his fellow soldier and was surprised at how well Ken was doing under the circumstances. He was none too anxious to return to Iraq but duty called him back through the end of June. He dreaded the time down the road when Ken would leave to come home permanently at the end of January. By eight there were only a handful of friends left at Sam's. Ken and Bill said their goodbyes and headed home for an evening of much needed rest and man-to-man sex.
They carefully showered together again. Ken's cast had been replaced with a removable flexible one but Bill was conscious of not making Ken move or walk in any way that might be painful. He shocked Ken when he offered to help prep him for their last night of fucking. Ken got over his embarrassment when Bill proved to be both artful and erotic in cleaning him. Ken's mind spun at the smoothness of Bill's soapy body.
"Damn, you kept your body shaved and I gotta tell you it's hot. Really, really hot." Ken ran his tongue over the slick blackness of Bill's skin. The man's nipples instantly hardened inviting Ken to bite and suck on them. Ken's breath shortened as he sank to his knees to lick and suck the large low hanging balls. Finally, he swallowed the large cock to its base. Bill gasped then moaned.
"Careful. I have plans for that and you don't want to ruin the surprise."
Ken giggled. "No surprise where it's going. But you're right. I don't want to waste a drop. Although, down my throat or up my ass, it won't be wasted." Bill could only groan and squirm to keep from shooting. Ken carefully dried them off. Bill led him to their king sized bad and the two men fell, limbs entangled into a writhing passionate embrace and deep, wet kiss. Ken came up for air. "Now would be a good time to fuck my brains out." Bill did his best. He slammed Ken's ass with the smaller blond on his back, his stomach with his ass pushed up to meet his thrusts, on his side so Bill could fondle Ken's swollen eager cock and balls and finally back on his back.
Bill unloaded three times into the tight ass and not once went soft for more than a couple of minutes. The two men couldn't get enough of each other. It was close to midnight when they called it quits and snuggled against each other to get a few hours of sleep. Ken pressed his lean hard body against Bill's. They listened as Buck and Brent went at it in the guest room. Bill laughed. "Wonder what got them all worked up."
"Yeah, I wonder." "You scared?"
"Terrified."
"They told you that you didn't have to go back."
"I know but I need to do this for Captain Malloy. I miss him. Damn, he was a good man." Ken fought back tears.
"I know. Did you and the cap ever, you know?"
"Nope. The man was straight as an arrow. I did catch him jacking off a couple of times. He was embarrassed then decided what the fuck; he needed relief as much as the next guy. Buck and I kept offering but he never took us up on it."
"Would you have let him fuck you if the moment had availed itself?"
Ken was quiet for a moment. "Yeah. And not because the man had a great cock. He was beautiful and warm and loving. On top of being one hard-assed soldier." Ken licked a still erect nipple. "Sort of how I envision you being in the service."
Bill smiled and held Ken tighter. "We should get some sleep."
Buck and Brent followed them to the airport the next morning. Sam, Joe, Gus, Buzz, Steve and Matt were there waiting to say their farewells. The group huddled together in the same room where they had met Ken and Captain Malloy's coffin a few weeks earlier. They pulled Buck and Brent into their huddle. The airmen were about to be called for boarding when a voice called to Ken from the doorway. Mike Malloy Jr. hurried across the room to hug Ken and Buck.
"Didn't think I'd make it in time. I had to see you off, wish you both the best and a speedy return." He handed Ken a large brown envelope. "You need to read this when you get a moment. I know it won't be easy. Maybe on the flight."
"How's your mom?"
Mike took a deep breath. "She's coping. Not easy when the love of your life is taken away like this. She struggles at times. We all do. My younger brothers go back to school tomorrow. That will help. I go back to college this weekend. Looking forward to having a regular routine again. Keep my mind occupied."
Ken squeezed the young man's hand. "Don't ever forget your Dad. He was a good man."
The two men embraced. "We won't. You guys watch out for each other. We don't want to lose any more good ones."
Ken turned to Buck. "We gotta go." Buck nodded and fell into Brent's arms. Ken kissed his friends one more time, took a long time in Bill's arms and slowly broke away. "I'll be home in 30. Count on it."
Bill choked. "I will." Sam slid his arms around Bill and Mike Jr.
Gus squeezed Ken's shoulder. "God speed son."
In minutes, they were airborne looking down over the western Pennsylvania countryside on their way to the coast and a flight back to the confusion of Iraq. The two men sat in silence most of the first leg of the trip. There wasn't a second to be lost in making their connection back to Iraq.
They fell into seats and sighed. Hands touched the backs of hands. Buck studied the faces of the other men on the flight. "You think they're all returning from leave like us?"
"Hard to say. Why am I the only one wearing a cast?"
"You're a trendsetter."
"Not something you expect to find in the military. Oh, I almost forgot." He pulled the envelope Mike had given him from his duffle and undid the clasp.
Buck squinted over his shoulder. "What is it?"
"Well, this first part if a letter from Mike with his contact info at school. And a letter from his mother. And, hmm, uh, oh wow, this is some kind of a genealogy report. Gynecologic?"
"Gynecologic?"
"Very funny."
"Like a family tree?"
"Uh, yeah. Not seen one like this. Ours was pretty much records in Bibles and family documents. Holy shit."
"What? Are you rich? An heir to an oil fortune?" Buck leaned closer. Ken laughed and rolled his eyes.
"I don't think so. But going back to my great, great grandfather, or something like that. It's the same name as mine. Wow. Captain Malloy and I had the same great-great grandfather. Great, great plus."
"No wonder there was a resemblance."
"Damn. I just found out I have more family."
"All the more reason to get home in one piece."
Buck smiled and looked at the form in Ken's hand. "Can I be part of your family?"
Ken quietly looked up and took his friend's hand. "Believe me buddy, you are."
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Starting Again Chapter 35 © 2008